How to Trap a Mouse

The traditional wooden mouse snap trap is a very effective tool for trapping a mouse. While obviously lethal, mouse snap traps are also inexpensive and arguably as humane a method for controlling mice as other lethal methods of control such as using poisonous baits or glue traps.

The basic snap trap consists of a bar, a spring and a trip plate. The bar is held under tension by the spring, and held in the firing position by a wire wedged under the trip plate. The trip plate is baited to attract the interest of a passing mouse and when a curious rodent tries to steal the bait, the trip plate is triggered and the bar is unleashed with lethal results.

Most of the newer style snap traps use plastic trip plates with perforations. Press a little peanut butter into these holes and perforations. The peanut butter will mold into around the holes, making it difficult for a mouse to remove all of the peanut butter before it triggers the trip plate. Often, the snap trap can be reused several times before more peanut butter bait is needed.

Position the baited snap trap against a wall in areas with signs of mouse activity. Mice tend to travel along the edges of walls and cabinets, with their whiskers brushing against the edge. Place the snap trap perpendicular to the wall, with the trip plate closest to baseboard. Place a small piece of cardboard under the trap to help keep the floor or carpet clean (the inverted lid of a shoe box works great).

If there are small children and pets in the house, cover the trap with a small box. Cut entrance holes on either side of the box to allow the mouse to enter.

Check the mouse snap traps every morning. Wear latex gloves when handling the mouse snap traps: mice carry parasites and pathogens such as fleas and ticks, so dispose the remains quickly and properly. Disinfect the area with a household cleaner.

If a snap trap fails to catch a mouse within a few days, move the trap to another location. Setting out multiple snap traps in different areas increases the chances for catching mice.

As the name implies, Live Traps lure mice into a capture device that holds them securely, safe and unharmed until the little intruder is released outdoors. Some live trap models are designed to catch a single mouse, while others can capture several mice in a single night.

Position the live trap in areas with signs of mouse activity. Bait the trap with peanut butter, and position the entrance of the trap along the edge of the wall or cabinet where mice are traveling. Check the trap daily, and add more bait as needed. If several days pass without catching a mouse, try moving the live trap to another location.

Relocate the captured mouse to a field or woodland as far from your house a possible. Simply releasing the mouse outside your backdoor may allow the clever little critter to find its way right back inside your home.

Made with a sticky substance, glue traps are designed to capture a mouse as it tries to cross the bait placed in its pathway, much like an insect is trapped by fly paper. While effective, the glue boards seem the least humane of all of the mouse trapping and removal methods; the captured mouse struggles in the sticky stuff, suffering until dehydration or starvation claims its victim. Consider using other methods for controlling mice.

For severe infestations or for placing baits in hard to reach locations such as up in the attic or in the crawlspace under the house, using poison control methods are an alternative to trapping mice and disposing of the remains. The bait stations are placed in areas where mouse activity is detected, and left for the mice to consume at their leisure. Check the bait often for signs of feeding activity and after the bait is depleted, simply refill with fresh bait.

There are two types of rodenticides: pellets and blocks. The pellets are small and light, making it easy for the mouse to carry back to the nest or other area for consumption. The blocks are larger and designed for the mouse to nibble at the bait station. After feeding, the poisons take effect.

Use extreme care and caution when handling rodenticides. Always read the product label and FOLLOW the MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS and WARNINGS. Keep the poisons away from pets and small children.